Bottom side Rochdale rescue point against fellow League Two strugglers Crawley

Posted Sunday, August 28, 2022 by PA

Rochdale earned their first point of the season after coming from behind to secure a 1-1 League Two draw against fellow strugglers Crawley.

Cameron John cleared off the line during a goalmouth scramble to deny Crawley an early opener, while Aidy White drove a shot into the side-netting for the home side.

The first flash of real quality – in what had been a dour first half – came in stoppage time when Femi Serike was dispossessed and Crawley worked the ball along the Rochdale 18-yard line, James Balagizi teeing up Jack Powell to smash home a first-time finish.

Bottom side Dale improved after the interval. Devante Rodney was denied on a couple of occasions by Corey Addai, who was also on hand to beat away John’s direct free-kick.

Tony Craig headed clear Abraham Odoh’s goal-bound effort but Dale equalised after 59 minutes when Tyrese Sinclair dived to meet White’s delivery from the left and guided a header wide of Addai.

Crawley finished with 10 men when Nick Tsaroulla, booked earlier in the second half, was dismissed four minutes from time for a second bookable offence.